why do we think we get to have an opinion?

Why do we think we get to have an opinion on Carnie Wilson's lap band surgery?  Seriously.  When we were planning our surgery, or even after our surgery, did we want the opinion of everyone who knew us?  Did we want the opinion of complete strangers?  Did we think they deserved to have any say about whether or not we should have WLS?  Did we think they understood our lives well enough to know what was best for us?  Did we think it was any of their business?

I'm guessing most of us thought it was none of their business.  I'm guessing we thought we knew ourselves better than they did.  I'm guessing we wanted them to respect our right to make our own choices.

Well, guess what?  Just because Carnie is a public figure, she has not given up the right to make her own choices about her health and her body.  And unless someone here is a close personal friend or health care provider of Carnie, we don't know enough about why she regained weight or why she chose the band to have an opinion.  We can have opinions about what we would do if we regained but our choice may not be best for everyone.  And unless we are dealing with regain right now, it's hard to really know how we would handle it.

THANK YOU!!!

I have been wondering this myself. I guess because she is a public figure it is noteworthy but in the end this was the choice SHE made for HERself. Whether she succeeds or fails is none of my business and actually I am sort of grateful that she did make it public because I think folks need to know that fighting obesity is a dynamic process. It involves more than just changing how you eat. People struggle. It's the reality.

So Carnie...rock on. Star Jones...personally I like your newfound curves so you rock on too!

You are right....I haven't told many people just a select few that is why I rely on this board so much. She didn't have to go public with this she could said she just did it with diet and exercise. A part of me is also saying THANK YOU to her because she shows that yes you can have this surgery and fail and it isn't always easy. I am glad that people who aren't familiar with the surgery and think it is all la la peachy keen that they realize it is a struggle daily.

 I get what you are saying but I do want to say also I dont know that her process was a total fail. She had two kids! I know you can absolutely lose weight after having kids, but I think it was a factor in her regain as, of course, were her addictive issues with food. 

Not that any of us gets a "free pass" on regain, but life happens. I have become acutely aware of that these last few months.

Nik great minds think alike ;-)

My bad fail wasn't really the best choice of words it isn't the end all cure for obesity and yes having 2 kids is going to be a challenge to get the weight off....heck I have 4 and have 10 lbs for EACH kid still attached to me.

 Interestingly enough I didn't gain an eye popping amount for either kid. With #1 I gained 35 lbs (babydaddy gained 60) and that stayed with me. With #2 I gained...nothing. I was the same weight on delivery day as when I first walked into the OB. I was 20 lbs. lighter three days after giving birth (so for some reason I lost weight while babygirl gained weight. Seven of those pounds were her).

Well said Kelly and Nick!!!

I couldn't agree more.

Absolutely agree.  I haven't walked in her shoes, and don't think I'd want to.  AND.... never say never on regain....  no "____lbs lost forever" from me.